Israel Frees Jordanian Prisoners

March 4, 1996

Israel has released seven Jordanian prisoners who had been held after being accused of infiltrating Israel and conducting illegal military activities.

The group of seven, who Feb. 29 crossed the Allenby Bridge into Jordan, was the first of three groups – totaling 36 Jordanians – that Israel has agreed to release after more than a year of negotiations with Jordanian officials.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s new ambassador to Israel, Omar Rifai, took up his post in Tel Aviv late last week.

Rifai replaced Marwan Muasher, who was recently appointed information minister in the Jordanian government.